Grammar fix
calm down
(make someone) become calm
To become less upset, angry or excited, or to make someone else feel that way.
phrasal verbB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After hearing the bad news, it took me a while to calm down.
When I feel stressed about exams, I usually take a walk to help myself calm down.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: You need to calm down yourself.
Say: You need to calm down.
When YOU settle, 'calm down' takes no object — 'calm down' alone is far more natural.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Calm down' is the everyday phrase for settling your emotions; 'compose yourself' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
calm down
- a bit
- now
- just
- everyone